Manchester United’s Michael Carrick Out For 10-12 Weeks

Manchester United defensive midfielder Michael Carrick had surgery on his ankle this morning and will be out of action for 10-12 weeks, according to the club.

The 32 year-old midfielder injured his ankle during pre-season training. When asked how long he would be sidelined for, new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said, “A long time.” The news was revealed during van Gaal’s official debut as Manchester United’s manager in front of media today.

With 245 caps for Manchester United including 16 goals since signing in 2006, Carrick’s presence in midfield will be missed during the beginning of the 2014-2015 Premier League season, widely considered to be a rebuilding year for United following a disastrous 2013-2014 season that saw United finishing 7th as well as failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 1995-1996 season. The club also failed to qualify for the Europa League. The last time United didn’t qualify for a European league was 24 years ago in 1990.

This is not the first time Carrick has been out with an ankle injury. He missed three weeks in 2008, at the start of the 2010-2011 season and missed the start of the 2006-2007 season due to a foot injury.

Carrick traveled with the English team to the 2006 and 2010 World Cups but was left out of the 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Instead, he was listed as a stand-by option.